JP2007058070A - Liquid crystal display apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a liquid crystal panel in which detection of pushing pressure or sensitivity to pushing can be controlled. <P>SOLUTION: Protruded strip electrodes 47 on a color filter layer 43 of a counter substrate 41 are fabricated comprising first protruded electrodes 51 and second protruded electrodes 52 with different heights in an inverse proportion to the distance from a spacer 57. When the counter substrate 41 is pushed at relatively weak force, only the first protruded electrodes 51 having a larger height acts to switch. When the counter substrate 41 is pushed at relatively strong force, the second protruded electrode 52 having a smaller height as well as the first protruded electrode 51 act to switch. The number of protruded electrodes 47 for switching can be changed according to the force pushing the counter substrate 41, and thereby, the pressure upon pushing the counter substrate 41 can be detected. By controlling the heights of the first protruded electrode 51 and the second protruded electrode 52, the force to push the counter substrate 41 necessary to switch the first protruded electrode 51 or the second protruded electrode 52 can be controlled. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a liquid crystal display device having an electrode layer and a protruding electrode between an array substrate and a counter substrate.

  Conventionally, this type of liquid crystal display device is configured by interposing a liquid crystal layer between an array substrate on which a plurality of image elements are provided in a matrix and a counter substrate. This liquid crystal display device is used in various fields such as notebook personal computers (PCs), tablet personal computers, car navigation systems, scientific calculators, small and medium sized televisions (TVs), large televisions, mobile phones, electronic notebooks and PDAs (Personal Digital Assistants). Applied and used. Among these application fields, notebook computers, tablet computers, mobile phones, electronic notebooks, and PDAs to which these liquid crystal display devices are applied are used as portable devices because the display elements of the liquid crystal display devices are light and thin. There are many opportunities. Further, these liquid crystal display devices are often used in public places such as advertising (POP) applications, ATM (Automated-Teller Machine) applications, and ticket vending machine applications.

  Among these applications, a configuration in which a touch sensor is provided in each pixel of a liquid crystal display device is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). When this liquid crystal display device is used as an ATM, it displays an operation button, a password input button, and the like, and a touch sensor is switched by touching a part where the operation button or the password input button is displayed. Input is possible. Further, when this liquid crystal display device is used as a ticket vending machine at a station, the liquid crystal display device displays destinations and ticket prices, etc., and touches a portion where these destinations and ticket prices are displayed. As a result, the touch sensor switches to enable input.

In recent years, as this type of liquid crystal display device, a tablet personal computer that can perform various functional operations by pressing a predetermined position of the liquid crystal display device with a finger or a pen has attracted attention. And this kind of tablet personal computer has a known configuration in which a transparent touch panel that can be identified by sensing coordinates touching the surface of the liquid crystal display device is overlaid on the liquid crystal display device (for example, Patent Document 2). reference.).
JP 2001-75074 A JP 2004-348204 A

  However, in the liquid crystal display device in which the above-described touch panel is attached in an overlapping manner, the thickness of the touch panel itself is necessary in addition to the thickness of the liquid crystal display device, and the touch panel itself has a thickness in addition to the weight of the liquid crystal display device. Since the weight is added, the liquid crystal display device becomes thick and heavy. Moreover, even if it is a transparent touch panel, the transmittance | permeability of a liquid crystal display device falls with this touch panel, and the image displayed on this liquid crystal display device will change color. Furthermore, since this touch panel can only be identified by detecting the pressed position as coordinates by pressing a predetermined position on this touch panel with a finger or a pen, detection of pressure for pressing this touch panel, adjustment of pressing sensitivity, etc. Has the problem of not being able to.

  The present invention has been made in view of these points, and an object thereof is to provide a liquid crystal display device capable of detecting a pressing pressure and adjusting a pressing sensitivity.

  The present invention provides an array substrate in which a plurality of pixels are provided in a matrix on one main surface, a counter substrate disposed with one main surface facing the one main surface of the array substrate, and one of the array substrates. A liquid crystal interposed between a main surface and one main surface of the counter substrate; an electrode layer provided on one main surface of either the array substrate or the counter substrate; and the electrode layer Oppositely provided on one other main surface of the array substrate and the counter electrode from the one main surface, and is conducted by a change in distance between the electrode layer, the array substrate and the counter substrate, And a plurality of protrusion electrodes having a height dimension smaller than the interval between them and different height dimensions.

  Then, projecting electrodes that are conducted by a change in the distance between the electrode layer provided on one main surface of either the array substrate or the counter substrate have a height smaller than the distance between the array substrate and the counter substrate. A plurality of protruding electrodes having different dimensions and heights were used. As a result, when one of the array substrate and the counter substrate is pressed relatively weakly, only the protruding electrode having a relatively large height dimension is conducted. When either one of the array substrate and the counter substrate is pressed with a relatively strong force, the height of the projection electrode is larger than that of the projection electrode having a relatively large height, as well as the projection electrode having a relatively large height. Even small protruding electrodes are conductive. Therefore, since the number of the protruding electrodes that are conducted can be varied according to the force of pressing either the array substrate or the counter substrate, the pressure for pressing either the array substrate or the counter substrate can be detected. In addition, by adjusting the height of the protruding electrodes, the protruding protruding electrodes can be adjusted according to the pressure pushing either the array substrate or the counter substrate, so that either the array substrate or the counter substrate can be adjusted. Press sensitivity can be adjusted.

  According to the present invention, since the number of protruding electrodes that conduct is different according to the force of pressing either the array substrate or the counter substrate, the pressure for pressing either the array substrate or the counter substrate can be detected, and these protrusions can be detected. By adjusting the height of the strip electrode, it is possible to adjust the protruding electrode that is conducted according to the pressure that presses either the array substrate or the counter substrate, so the sensitivity to press either the array substrate or the counter substrate is adjusted. it can.

  The configuration of the first embodiment of the liquid crystal display device of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

  1 to 3, reference numeral 1 denotes a liquid crystal panel as a flat display device, and the liquid crystal panel 1 is a liquid crystal cell as a liquid crystal display device with a coordinate input function in which a touch panel sensor is incorporated. That is, the liquid crystal panel 1 is a display element having a sensor function. The liquid crystal panel 1 is an active matrix type liquid crystal display element using a thin film transistor (TFT) as a switching element. The liquid crystal panel 1 includes a substantially rectangular flat plate array substrate 2 as an active matrix substrate. The array substrate 2 is an XGA (eXtended Graphics Array) type thin film transistor (TFT) substrate, and has a glass substrate 3 which is a translucent substrate as a substantially transparent rectangular flat plate-like insulating substrate.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a screen portion 4 that is an active area as an image display area is formed in the central portion on the surface that is one main surface of the glass substrate 3. In the screen unit 4, a plurality of pixels 5 are arranged in a matrix. A plurality of these pixels 5 are formed along the vertical direction of the glass substrate 3, and m pixels are formed along the horizontal direction of the glass substrate 3. Accordingly, n × m pixels 5 are formed on the glass substrate 3. Further, each of these pixels 5 is provided with a pixel electrode 6 as a display electrode, an auxiliary capacitor 7 as a pixel auxiliary capacitor as a storage capacitor, and a thin film transistor 8.

  A plurality of scanning lines 11 serving as gate electrode wirings are arranged on the surface of the glass substrate 3 along the width direction of the glass substrate 3. These scanning lines 11 are spaced in parallel at equal intervals toward the lateral direction of the glass substrate 3. Further, between each of the scanning lines 11, a plurality of signal lines 12 that are image signal wirings as electrode wirings are arranged along the vertical direction of the glass substrate 3. These signal lines 12 are spaced in parallel at equal intervals toward the lateral direction of the glass substrate 3. Therefore, the scanning lines 11 and the signal lines 12 cross the glass substrate 3 and are wired in a matrix shape that is a lattice shape. A pixel electrode 6, an auxiliary capacitor 7, and a thin film transistor 8 are provided for each pixel 5 corresponding to each intersection of the scanning line 11 and the signal line 12.

  On the other hand, on the peripheral edge of the glass substrate 3, an elongated rectangular flat plate Y driver circuit 14 is disposed as a signal line driving circuit. The Y driver circuit 14 is provided on one side edge along the lateral direction of the glass substrate 3. Further, the Y driver circuit 14 is provided along the vertical direction of the glass substrate 3, and one end of each scanning line 11 on the glass substrate 3 is electrically connected.

  Further, an X driver circuit 15 having an elongated rectangular flat plate shape as a scanning line driving circuit is disposed at one end along the vertical direction of the glass substrate 3. The X driver circuit 15 is provided along the horizontal direction of the glass substrate 3, and one end of each signal line 12 on the glass substrate 3 is electrically connected. The Y driver circuit 14 and the X driver circuit 15 are connected to each signal line from the X driver circuit 15 in synchronization with a timing at which the thin film transistor 8 is turned on / off by a scanning signal supplied from the Y driver circuit 14 to each scanning line 11. By supplying the pixel signal to 12, a predetermined image is displayed on the screen unit 4 of the array substrate 2.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 1, on the surface of the glass substrate 3, a thin film transistor 8 is disposed as one pixel component. The thin film transistor 8 is a switching element and a TFT element as a semiconductor element. These thin film transistors 8 include an active layer (not shown) as a semiconductor layer. This active layer is a polysilicon semiconductor layer as a polycrystalline semiconductor layer made of polysilicon (p-Si) as a polycrystalline semiconductor. In other words, this active layer is an island-shaped polysilicon thin film formed by annealing amorphous silicon (a-Si) as an amorphous semiconductor by excimer laser dissolution crystallization and then patterning.

  Furthermore, the thin film transistor 8 includes a gate electrode 21 having conductivity formed by being laminated on the glass substrate 3. As shown in FIG. 2, the gate electrode 21 is integrally connected to one side edge of the scanning line 11 to constitute a part of the scanning line 11. That is, the gate electrode 21 is electrically connected to the scanning line 11. The gate electrode 21 is provided to face the active layer.

  A gate insulating film 22 is laminated and provided on the glass substrate 3 including the gate electrode 21. The gate insulating film 22 is provided on substantially the entire surface of the glass substrate 3. A source electrode 23 and a drain electrode 24 are stacked on the gate insulating film 22 facing the gate electrode 21. The source electrode 23 and the drain electrode 24 are electrically insulated via a predetermined gap. The source electrode 23 is electrically connected to the signal line 12 and the drain electrode 24 is electrically connected to the auxiliary capacitor 7.

  On the gate insulating film 22 including the source electrode 23 and the drain electrode 24, an interlayer insulating film 25 as an insulating layer having an insulating property is laminated. This interlayer insulating film 25 is made of a photosensitive acrylic resin and covers at least substantially the entire area of the screen portion 4 of the array substrate 2. In the interlayer insulating film 25, a contact hole 26 is formed as a conduction portion for opening the drain electrode 24 of each thin film transistor 8. These contact holes 26 make the drain electrode 24 of each thin film transistor 8 conductive to the interlayer insulating film 25.

  Further, on the interlayer insulating film 25 including the contact holes 26, the pixel electrode 6 and the sensor electrode 27 as an electrode layer are laminated and provided. Each of the pixel electrode 6 and the sensor electrode 27 is a transparent electrode made of ITO (Indium Tin Oxide) which is indium tin oxide. The pixel electrode 6 is provided in a matrix pattern on the screen portion 4 of the array substrate 2 corresponding to each pixel 5. The pixel electrode 6 is electrically connected to the drain electrode 24 of the thin film transistor 8 through the contact hole 26. That is, the pixel electrode 6 is controlled by the thin film transistor 8 in which the drain electrode 24 is electrically connected to the pixel electrode 6.

  The sensor electrode 27 is insulated from each pixel electrode 6 provided corresponding to each pixel 5, and is provided by being patterned between the pixel electrodes 6. That is, a predetermined gap is formed between the sensor electrode 27 and the pixel electrode 6. Further, the sensor electrode 27 is formed of the same material as the pixel electrode 6 and simultaneously in the same process. The sensor electrode 27 is provided at each position facing the electrode portion 56 of the surface electrode 55 of each protruding electrode 47 of the counter substrate 41 with the counter substrate 41 facing the array substrate 2. ing. Further, the sensor electrode 27 is formed in a substantially square shape substantially equal to the size of the electrode portion 56 of the surface electrode 55 of the protruding electrode 47. That is, the sensor electrode 27 has a width dimension substantially equal to the width dimension of the electrode portion 56.

  Further, an alignment film 28 is laminated on the interlayer insulating film 25 including the pixel electrode 6 and the sensor electrode 27. The alignment film 28 covers the surface of each pixel electrode 6 and sensor electrode 27, and covers substantially the entire surface of the interlayer insulating film 25 including the pixel electrode 6 and sensor electrode 27. The alignment film 28 is formed by applying an alignment film material made of polyimide and then performing an alignment process such as rubbing.

  On the other hand, a rectangular flat plate-like counter substrate 41 is disposed on the surface of the array substrate 2. The counter substrate 41 includes a glass substrate 42 which is a translucent substrate as a substantially transparent rectangular flat plate-like insulating substrate. A color filter layer 43 as a colored layer is laminated on the surface which is one main surface of the glass substrate 42 facing the array substrate 2. The color filter layer 43 is provided so as to protrude from the surface of the glass substrate.

  Specifically, the color filter layer 43 includes a red filter unit 44 as a red layer which is a colored layer of a set of color units of at least two colors, for example, red (Red: R), and green (Green: G) Three dots of a green filter portion 45 as a green layer that is a colored layer and a blue filter portion 46 as a blue layer that is a blue (Blue: B) colored layer are in the vertical direction of the glass substrate 42. And are arranged repeatedly in each of the lateral directions.

  The red filter portion 44, the green filter portion 45, and the blue filter portion 46 are formed in a matrix on the glass substrate 3 so as to correspond to each pixel 5 of the array substrate 2. That is, each of the red filter portion 44, the green filter portion 45, and the blue filter portion 46 is formed in a rectangular shape in plan view that is substantially equal to the size of each pixel 5 of the array substrate 2. Therefore, when the counter substrate 41 is opposed to the array substrate 2, the plurality of red filter portions 44, green filter portions 45, and blue filter portions 46 are opposed to correspond to the respective pixels 5 of the array substrate 2. Is provided.

  Here, the red filter portion 44 is a red color filter formed of an ultraviolet curable acrylic red resist solution that is colored red by dispersing a red pigment. The green filter portion 45 is a green color filter formed of an ultraviolet curable acrylic green resist solution that is colored green by dispersing a green pigment. Further, the blue filter unit 46 is a blue color filter formed of an ultraviolet curable acrylic blue resist solution that is colored blue by dispersing a blue pigment. Each of the red filter portion 44, the green filter portion 45, and the blue filter portion 46 is formed to have an equal thickness.

  Further, on each main surface of each of the red filter portion and the blue filter portion, a protruding electrode 47 that is a sensor structure projecting from the one main surface is provided. These protruding electrodes 47 have a height dimension smaller than the cell thickness A between the array substrate 2 and the counter substrate 41, and are provided at positions facing the sensor electrodes 27 on the array substrate 2. Further, the protruding electrodes 47 are formed to have a height that is not electrically connected to the sensor electrode 27 of the array substrate 2 in a normal state in which the counter substrate is not pushed and bent. Further, the protruding electrodes 47 are provided at the peripheral edge in the pixel 5 on the screen portion 4 of the array substrate 2. That is, these protruding electrodes 47 are provided on the thin film transistor 8 in a plan view in the pixel 5. The projecting electrodes 47 are spaced at equal intervals along the vertical direction and the horizontal direction of the screen portion 4 of the array substrate 2.

  In addition, the protruding electrodes 47 constitute a touch sensor 48 having a pressure sensor function together with the sensor electrodes 27 of the array substrate 2. The touch sensor 48 conducts and switches by a change in electrical combined resistance or combined capacitance, that is, impedance based on a change in the distance between the protruding electrode 47 and the sensor electrode 27 of the array substrate 2. In other words, these touch sensors 48 are constituted by the protruding electrodes 47 and the sensor electrodes 27, and the spacer 57 and the sensor projections 53 are elastically deformed by pressing the back surface side of the counter substrate 41 with a finger or the like, so as to face each other. It is a pressure sensor that is turned on and detected by electrical contact between the protruding electrode 47 of the substrate 41 and the sensor electrode 27 of the array substrate 2.

  Further, these protruding electrodes 47 are configured by dividing the height dimension into several stages. That is, the protrusion electrodes 47 have a plurality of first protrusions having a height dimension smaller than the cell thickness A between the array substrate 2 and the counter substrate 41 and at least two kinds of different height dimensions. An electrode 51 and a second protruding electrode 52 are provided. The first protrusion electrode 51 is a protrusion electrode 47 laminated on the red filter portion 44 of the color filter layer 43, and the second protrusion electrode 52 is a blue filter portion 46 of the color filter layer 43. This is a protruding electrode 47 laminated on top.

  The first protrusion electrode 51 has a height dimension larger than the height dimension of the second protrusion electrode 52 and a width dimension larger than the width dimension of the second protrusion electrode 52. Yes. Specifically, the first protruding electrode 51 is formed in a substantially square shape in a plan view having a side of about 18 μm. Further, the first protruding electrode 51 is laminated slightly closer to the red filter portion 44 than between the red filter portion 44 and the green filter portion 45. That is, the first protruding electrode 51 is provided at a position separated from the spacer 57 by a distance B. Further, a predetermined gap C is provided between the first protruding electrode 51 and the alignment film 28 of the array substrate 2.

  Further, the second protrusion electrode 52 has a height dimension smaller than the height dimension of the first protrusion electrode 51 and a width dimension smaller than the width dimension of the first protrusion electrode 51. Have. Specifically, the second protruding electrode 52 is formed in a substantially square shape in a plan view having a side of about 12 μm. In addition, the second protruding electrode 52 is laminated slightly closer to the blue filter portion 46 than between the blue filter portion 46 and the red filter portion 44. That is, the second protruding electrode 52 is provided at a position separated from the spacer 57 by a distance D. In other words, the second ridge electrode 52 is provided at a position away from the distance B from the first ridge electrode 51 to the spacer 57. Further, a predetermined gap larger than the gap C between the first protruding electrode 51 and the alignment film 28 of the array substrate 2 is provided between the second protruding electrode 52 and the alignment film 28 of the array substrate 2. A gap E is provided.

  Here, the first ridge electrode 51 and the second ridge electrode 52 have a height dimension corresponding to the distance from the spacer 57 so as to switch according to the pressure pressing the back surface of the counter substrate 41. It has been adjusted. In other words, when the pressure pushing the back surface of the counter substrate 41 is relatively small, only the first ridge electrode 51 contacts the sensor electrode 27. When the pressure that presses the back surface of the counter substrate 41 is relatively large, each of the first protrusion electrode 51 and the second protrusion electrode 52 contacts and switches to the sensor electrode 27 to switch the counter substrate. The height dimension is adjusted so that the pressure pressing the back surface of 41 can be detected.

  Specifically, the height and size of the first protruding electrode 51 and the second protruding electrode 52 are made smaller as the distance from the spacer 57 is increased. In other words, the first protruding electrode 51 and the second protruding electrode 52 are arranged so that the height decreases as the distance from the spacer 57 increases. For example, the first protrusion electrode 51 and the second protrusion electrode 52 are inclined in inverse proportion or linearly to the distance from the first protrusion electrode 51 and the second protrusion electrode 52 to the spacer 57. Has a height dimension.

  Each of the first protruding electrode 51 and the second protruding electrode 52 includes a protruding sensor protrusion 53 as an elongated, substantially prismatic insulating portion having insulating properties. These sensor projections 53 are formed of a resin having no electrical conductivity, and are laminated on one main surface of the color filter layer 43 with the lower end surface being in contact with the color filter layer 43. Is provided.

  Further, on one main surface of the color filter layer 43 excluding these sensor protrusions 53, a rectangular flat plate-like counter electrode 54, which is a common electrode as an electrode layer, is provided by being laminated. The counter electrode 54 is a common electrode as a second electrode portion formed by laminating ITO with a thickness of about 100 μm as a transparent electrode. The counter electrode 54 is patterned so as to cover the upper surface and the outer surface of each of the red filter portion 44, the green filter portion 45, and the blue filter portion 46. The counter electrode 54 is a large electrode having a rectangular shape in plan view and facing the entire screen portion 4 of the glass substrate 3 of the array substrate 2 when the counter substrate 41 and the array substrate 2 are opposed to each other. . In other words, the counter electrode 54 is disposed so as to face the pixel electrode 6 of each pixel 5 of the array substrate 2 when the counter substrate 41 is opposed to the array substrate 2.

  In addition, a surface electrode 55 as an electrode portion as a conductive portion made of ITO as a transparent electrode is laminated on the surface which is the upper end surface and the outer peripheral surface of each sensor protrusion 53. The surface electrode 55 is formed of a resin having the same material as that of the counter electrode 54 and is formed at the same time as the counter electrode 54 in the same process. That is, the surface electrode 55 is provided continuously with the counter electrode 54 and is provided integrally with the counter electrode 54. Therefore, the surface electrode 55 has a thickness dimension equal to the thickness dimension of the counter electrode 54, and covers the surface of the sensor projection 53.

  In addition, a portion of the surface electrode 55 that covers the upper end surface of the sensor projection 53 functions as the electrode portion 56. The electrode portion 56 constitutes a tip portion of each of the first and second protruding electrodes 51 and 52, and the first protruding electrode 51 and the second protruding electrode 52 and the array substrate. This is a portion that mechanically contacts the sensor electrode 27 via the alignment film 28 when the two sensor electrodes 27 are switched on.

  Further, on one main surface of the counter electrode 54 facing each of the green filter portions 45 of the color filter layer 43, an elongated substantially prismatic spacer 57 that holds the array substrate 2 and the counter substrate 41 at a constant interval. Is provided. These spacers 57 are formed of an elastically deformable black colored layer having an insulating property, and have a cell thickness A as a cell gap between the alignment film 28 of the array substrate 2 and the alignment film 58 of the counter substrate 41. Has a height dimension equal to the dimension. The spacers 57 are not opposed to the sensor electrodes 27 of the array substrate 2 and are provided between the sensor electrodes 27 in plan view. Further, the spacer 57 is provided between the first protruding electrode 51 and the second protruding electrode 52 in plan view.

  In other words, the spacers 57 are provided at positions facing the pixels 5 in the portion through the predetermined number of pixels 5 in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction of the screen unit 4. Therefore, these spacers 57 are provided on the screen portion 4 of the array substrate 2 at regular intervals. Furthermore, these spacers 57 are made of an insulating material, and project from the substantially central portion of the green filter portion 45 in the width direction. Therefore, these spacers 57 are provided closer to the first protrusion electrode 51 than the second protrusion electrode 52. The spacers 57 are provided at positions shifted from the thin film transistor 8 in plan view in order to prevent a decrease in the aperture ratio.

  Further, an alignment film 58 is laminated on one main surface of the counter electrode 54 excluding the spacer 57, the first protruding electrode 51, and the second protruding electrode 52. This alignment film 58 does not cover the surface electrode 55 and the spacer 57 of each of the first protrusion electrode 51 and the second protrusion electrode 52, and the first protrusion electrode 51 and the second protrusion electrode 51 are not covered. It is provided on the counter electrode 54 located between the protruding electrode 52 and the spacer 57. Further, the alignment film 58 is laminated to the lower end edge of the outer peripheral surface of each of the first protruding electrode 51, the second protruding electrode 52, and the spacer 57. Further, the alignment film 58 is formed by applying an alignment film material made of polyimide and then performing an alignment process such as rubbing.

  A frame portion 59 serving as a light shielding layer that surrounds the outer periphery of the color filter layer 43 is provided on the periphery of the color filter layer 43 on the glass substrate 42 of the counter substrate 41. The frame portion 59 is provided continuously on the outer peripheral edge of the color filter layer 43, and covers the outer periphery of the color filter layer 43 along the circumferential direction of the color filter layer 43. The frame portion 59 is a frame-shaped light shielding region, and is formed of a black colored layer similar to the spacer. The frame portion 59 is formed of the same material as the spacer and simultaneously in the same process. Further, the frame portion 59 has a thickness dimension smaller than the thickness dimension of the color filter layer 43. That is, the frame portion 59 is formed thinner than the color filter layer 43.

  Further, the counter substrate 41 is attached to the array substrate 2 with the alignment film 58 of the counter substrate 41 facing the alignment film 28 of the array substrate 2. That is, the counter substrate 41 is configured such that each spacer 57 provided on the counter substrate 41 is brought into contact with the alignment film 28 of the array substrate 2 so that a predetermined distance is provided between the array substrate 2 and the counter substrate 41. The liquid crystal sealing region F having the cell thickness A is attached in a state of being separated in parallel.

  That is, the peripheral portion between the array substrate 2 and the counter substrate 41 is a periphery as a liquid crystal sealing portion that seals the liquid crystal composition in the liquid crystal sealing region F between the array substrate 2 and the counter substrate 41. A sealing material 61 as a seal is attached and sealed. The sealing material 61 is applied between the array substrate 2 and the counter substrate 41 and then baked and bonded to seal between the array substrate 2 and the counter substrate 41. The sealing material 61 is provided so as to cover the periphery of the screen portion 4 of the array substrate 2, and a liquid crystal sealing region F is formed between the screen portion 4 of the array substrate 2 and the counter substrate 41. . The sealing material 61 is provided between the outer portion of the frame portion 59 of the counter substrate 41 and the portion outside the screen portion 4 of the glass substrate 3 of the array substrate 2.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3, a liquid crystal injection port 62 as an injection port for opening the liquid crystal sealing region F is formed in a part of the sealing material 61. The liquid crystal injection port 62 is provided at a position near one end of the corner of the array substrate 2. In the liquid crystal sealing region F, a liquid crystal composition (not shown), which is a nematic liquid crystal material to which a chiral material is added, is injected from a liquid crystal injection port 62 and sandwiched therebetween to form a liquid crystal layer 63 as a light modulation layer. Yes.

  The liquid crystal layer 63 is configured by sealing a liquid crystal composition interposed between the alignment film 58 of the counter substrate 41 and the alignment film 28 of the array substrate 2. Further, the liquid crystal layer 63 forms a liquid crystal capacitance between the pixel electrode 6 of the array substrate 2 and the counter electrode 54 of the counter substrate 41. The liquid crystal injection port 62 is sealed by applying an ultraviolet curable resin as the sealing material 64 in a state where the liquid crystal composition is injected into the liquid crystal sealing region F and sealed.

  Then, rectangular plate-like polarizing plates 65 and 66 are superimposed on each of the back surface which is the other main surface of the glass substrate 3 of the array substrate 2 and the back surface which is the other main surface of the glass substrate 42 of the counter substrate 41. Has been placed.

  Next, a method for manufacturing the liquid crystal display device according to the first embodiment will be described.

  First, in the array substrate 2, the gate electrode 21 is formed on the glass substrate 3, and then the gate insulating film 22 is formed on the glass substrate 3 including the gate electrode 21.

  Thereafter, a source electrode 23 and a drain electrode 24 are formed on the gate insulating film 22 facing the gate electrode 21 to form the thin film transistor 8, and then on the gate insulating film 22 including the source electrode 23 and the drain electrode 23 of the thin film transistor 8. An interlayer insulating film 25 is formed.

  Next, a contact hole 26 is provided in the interlayer insulating film 25, the drain electrode 24 of each thin film transistor 8 is opened, and ITO is formed on the interlayer insulating film 25 including the contact hole 26 by sputtering. Later, this ITO is patterned to correspond to each pixel 5 to form the pixel electrode 6 and the sensor electrode 27.

  Thereafter, an alignment film material made of polyimide is applied to the entire surface of the interlayer insulating film 25 including the pixel electrode 6 and the sensor electrode 27, and then an alignment process is performed to form the alignment film 28, thereby forming the array substrate 2. .

  On the other hand, the counter substrate 41 is coated with a UV curable acrylic red resist on a glass substrate 42 with a spinner (not shown) and baked as a prebake at about 90 ° C. for about 5 minutes. A mask pattern (not shown) is formed so as to irradiate light to a portion to be colored red.

Thereafter, the glass substrate 42 is exposed to ultraviolet rays having an intensity of, for example, 150 mJ / cm ² through a mask pattern. At this time, a stripe pattern corresponding to the red filter portion 44 is formed in this mask pattern.

  Next, the exposed glass substrate 42 is developed for about 60 seconds using an aqueous solution of about 0.1% by mass of TMAH (tetramethylammonium hydride), washed with water, and then baked as post-baking at about 200 ° C. for 1 hour. Thus, the red filter portion 44 is formed.

  Further, each of the green filter portion 45 and the blue filter portion 46 is formed similarly to the case of forming the red filter portion 44, and the color filter layer 43 is formed in the display region of the glass substrate.

  Next, sensor protrusions 53 having different heights made of conductive resin are simultaneously formed on the color filter layer 43. At this time, the heights of the sensor protrusions 53 are adjusted by changing the size of the sensor protrusions 53 in a plan view, that is, the mask size.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 4, in the case where the mask size of the sensor projection 53 is a square shape having a side of about 25 μm or less, the height of the sensor projection 53 increases as the mask size of the sensor projection 53 increases. Can be high. On the other hand, when the mask size of the sensor projection 53 is a square shape having a side of about 25 μm or more, the larger the mask size of the sensor projection 53, the more the central portion of the sensor projection 53 is depressed. The average height of the sensor protrusions 53 decreases, and the change in electrical capacitance between the sensor protrusions 53 and the sensor electrode 27 increases.

  Therefore, in this case, the mask size of the sensor protrusion 53 for the first protrusion electrode 51 is a square shape having a side of about 18 μm, and the mask size of the sensor protrusion 53 for the second protrusion electrode 52 is set. Are formed at the same time by changing the mask size of the sensor protrusion 53 for the first protrusion electrode 51 and the sensor protrusion 53 for the second protrusion electrode 52.

  Thereafter, ITO is deposited on the color filter layer 43 including the sensor projections 53 by a sputtering method to a thickness of about 100 μm, and then the ITO is patterned to form the counter electrode 54 and the surface electrode 55. The first protrusion electrode 51 and the second protrusion electrode 52 are formed, respectively.

  Next, a black colored layer is laminated on the counter electrode 54 and on the periphery of the color filter layer 43 to form the spacer 57 and the frame portion 59 of the same material at the same time, and then the spacer 57 and the first protruding electrode are formed. An alignment film 58 made of polyimide is applied on the color filter layer 43 excluding 51 and the second protruding electrode 52, and then subjected to an alignment process to form an alignment film 58, thereby forming the counter substrate 41.

  Thereafter, a sealing material 61 is applied to a portion of the counter substrate 41 other than a portion where the liquid crystal injection port 62 is formed at the periphery of one main surface of the glass substrate 42, and then the array substrate 2 is opposed to the counter substrate 41. And paste them together.

  In this state, a liquid crystal composition is injected from the liquid crystal injection port 62 into the liquid crystal sealing region F between the array substrate 2 and the counter substrate 41, and then the liquid crystal injection port 62 is used as a sealing material 64 with an ultraviolet curable resin. After sealing, the polarizing plates 65 and 66 are disposed on the back surfaces of the array substrate 2 and the counter substrate 41, so that the liquid crystal panel 1 capable of color display and having a touch panel function is manufactured.

  As described above, according to the first embodiment, the amount of elastic deformation of the spacer 57 changes and the amount of deflection of the counter substrate 41 changes in proportion to the pressure when the back surface of the counter substrate 41 is pressed. . Therefore, the height of the protruding electrode 47 on the color filter layer 43 of the counter substrate 41 is inversely proportional to the distance from the spacer 57, so that the first protruding electrode 51 and the second protruding electrode having different height dimensions are used. Each of 52 formed.

  As a result, when the back surface of the counter substrate 41 is relatively weakly pressed and the spacer 57 is slightly elastically deformed, only the electrode portion 56 of the first protruding electrode 51 having a large height dimension is used for the sensor of the array substrate 2. Switching is performed in electrical contact with the electrode 27. Further, when the back surface of the counter substrate 41 is pushed with a relatively strong force and the spacer 57 is elastically deformed more greatly, the electrode portion 56 of the first protruding electrode 51 and the first protruding electrode 51 are higher than the first protruding electrode 51. The electrode portions 56 of the second protrusion electrodes 52 having small dimensions are also electrically contacted with the sensor electrodes 27 of the array substrate 2 for switching.

  Therefore, by switching the height of each of the first protruding electrode 51 and the second protruding electrode 52 in inverse proportion to the distance from the spacer 57, switching is performed according to the force pressing the back surface of the counter substrate 41. The number of the protruding electrodes 47 can be varied. For this reason, it is possible to detect the pressure when the back surface of the counter substrate 41 is pressed by reading and analyzing the switching of each of the protruding electrodes 47.

  Further, by appropriately adjusting the height of each of the first and second protrusion electrodes 51 and 52 constituting the protrusion electrodes 47, the first protrusion electrodes 51 or the second protrusion electrodes 51 are adjusted. The force for pressing the back surface of the counter substrate 41 required for switching the strip electrode 52 can be arbitrarily adjusted. Accordingly, since the switching adjustment of the first and second ridge electrodes 51 and 52 can be adjusted, the switching sensitivity of the first and second ridge electrodes 51 and 52 can be adjusted. The switching sensitivity when pressing the back surface of the substrate 41 can be adjusted. Therefore, the pressure detection sensitivity of the liquid crystal panel 1 can be adjusted to the desired sensitivity.

  Furthermore, compared with the case where a sheet-like touch panel having a touch panel function is overlapped on the liquid crystal panel, a touch sensor 48 is provided between the array substrate 2 and the counter substrate 41 of the liquid crystal panel 1, so that the liquid crystal display function and the touch panel are provided. It is possible to make the liquid crystal panel 1 with a touch panel function capable of integrating the functions and having no increase in thickness and weight, a decrease in transmittance, and no change in color.

  In the first embodiment, the color filter layer 43 is provided on the counter substrate 41, and the spacer 57 and the protruding electrode 47 are provided on the color filter layer 43. However, the second embodiment shown in FIG. As in the embodiment, the color filter layer 43 may be provided on the array substrate 2, and the spacer 57 and the protruding electrode 47 may be provided on the color filter 43 layer. The array substrate 2 is provided with a color filter layer 43 laminated on the interlayer insulating film 25. A contact hole 26 communicating with the drain electrode 24 of the thin film transistor 8 is opened in the color filter layer 43 and the interlayer insulating film 25. On the color filter layer 43 including the contact hole 26, pixel electrodes 6 are stacked corresponding to the respective pixels 5.

  Further, on the color filter layer 43 between the pixel electrodes 6, a first protrusion electrode 51 and a second protrusion electrode 52 are provided so as to protrude. Here, the first protruding electrode 51 is stacked between the red filter portion 44 and the green filter portion 45. Further, the second protruding electrode 52 is slightly laminated on the green filter part 45 side than between the green filter part 45 and the blue filter part 46. Further, the sensor protrusions 53 of the first protrusion electrode 51 and the second protrusion electrode 52 are stacked on the color filter layer 43. The surface electrode 55 of each of the first and second protrusion electrodes 51 and 52 is electrically connected to the pixel electrode 6.

  Further, a spacer 57 is projected from the pixel electrode 6 stacked on the green filter portion 45. The spacer 57 is provided at the center of the green filter portion 45 in the width direction. An alignment film 28 is laminated on the interlayer insulating film 25 including the pixel electrode 6 except for the spacer 57, the first protruding electrode 51, and the second protruding electrode 52.

  On the other hand, the counter substrate 41 has a counter electrode 54 laminated on the glass substrate 42 as an electrode layer. The counter electrode 54 functions as a sensor electrode 27 that is switched by the first protruding electrode 51 and the second protruding electrode 52 being in electrical contact with each other. Accordingly, the touch sensor 48 includes the first protruding electrode 51, the second protruding electrode 52, and the counter electrode 54. Further, an alignment film 58 is laminated on the counter electrode 54. This alignment film 58 covers substantially the entire display area of the counter substrate 41.

  Next, a method for manufacturing the liquid crystal display device according to the second embodiment will be described.

  First, in the array substrate 2, the thin film transistor 8 is formed on the glass substrate 3, and then the interlayer insulating film 25 is formed on the gate insulating film 22 including the thin film transistor 8.

  Thereafter, an ultraviolet curable acrylic red resist is applied onto the interlayer insulating film 25 with a spinner (not shown), and baked as a pre-bake at about 90 ° C. for about 5 minutes. A mask pattern (not shown) is formed so as to irradiate light to a portion to be colored red.

Thereafter, the interlayer insulating film 25 having a mask pattern formed on the pre-baked UV-curable acrylic red resist is irradiated with UV light having an intensity of, for example, 150 mJ / cm ² through the mask pattern. . At this time, a stripe pattern corresponding to the red filter portion 44 and a circular pattern having a diameter of about 15 μm corresponding to the contact hole 26 are formed in this mask pattern.

  Next, the exposed glass substrate 3 is developed with an aqueous solution of about 0.1% by mass of TMAH (tetramethylammonium hydride) for about 60 seconds, washed with water, and then baked as post-baking at about 200 ° C. for 1 hour. Thus, the red filter portion 44 in which the contact hole 26 is formed is formed.

  Further, in the same manner as when the red filter portion 44 is formed, each of the green filter portion 45 and the blue filter portion 46 in which the contact holes 26 are formed is formed, and the color filter layer 43 is formed in the display region of the glass substrate 42. Form.

  Next, ITO is deposited on the color filter layer 43 including the contact holes 26 by sputtering, and then patterned to correspond to each pixel 5 to form pixel electrodes 6.

  Thereafter, sensor protrusions 53 are formed of a conductive resin on the color filter layer 43 between the pixel electrodes 6. Here, the height of the sensor projections 53 is adjusted by changing the mask size.

  Next, ITO is formed on the color filter layer 43 including the sensor projections 53 by sputtering to a thickness of about 100 μm, and then the ITO is patterned to form a surface electrode 55 to form the first protrusions. An electrode 51 and a second protruding electrode 52 are formed respectively.

  Next, a black colored layer is laminated on each of the pixel electrodes 6 laminated on the green filter portion 45 of the color filter layer 43 and the periphery of the color filter layer 43, and the spacer 57 and the frame portion 59 are simultaneously made of the same material. After the formation, the alignment film material made of polyimide is applied on the color filter layer 43 including the pixel electrode 6 except for the spacer 57, the first protruding electrode 51, and the second protruding electrode 52, and then aligned. The alignment film 28 is formed by processing to form the array substrate 2.

  On the other hand, the counter substrate 41 is formed by depositing ITO on the glass substrate 42 to a thickness of about 100 μm by sputtering, and then patterning the ITO to form the counter electrode 54.

  Next, an alignment film material made of polyimide is applied onto the counter electrode 54 and then subjected to an alignment process to form an alignment film 58 to form the counter substrate 41.

  Thereafter, the counter substrate 41 and the array substrate 2 are bonded together with a sealing material 61, and then a liquid crystal composition is applied from the liquid crystal injection port 62 to the liquid crystal sealing region F between the array substrate 2 and the counter substrate 41. inject.

  Next, after the liquid crystal injection port 62 is sealed with a sealing material 64, polarizing plates 65 and 66 are arranged on the back surfaces of the array substrate 2 and the counter substrate 41, respectively, and a liquid crystal capable of color display and having a touch panel function. Panel 1 is produced.

  As described above, according to the second embodiment, the first protrusion electrode 51 and the first protrusion electrode 51 and the first protrusion electrodes 51 on the array substrate 2 having different height dimensions in inverse proportion to the distance from the spacer 57 are used. Since the two protruding electrodes 52 are formed, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained. Further, since the color filter layer 43 is formed on the array substrate 2 side, the pixel aperture ratio of the liquid crystal panel 1 can be improved, so that the liquid crystal panel 1 can be brightened and visibility can be improved.

  Next, as in the third embodiment shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the height of the protruding electrode 47 provided on the glass substrate 3 of the array substrate 2 is increased in inverse proportion to the distance from the spacer 57. Each of the first protrusion electrode 51, the second protrusion electrode 52, and the third protrusion electrode 71 having different dimensions can be formed. At this time, the third protrusion electrode 71 has a height dimension smaller than the height dimension of the second protrusion electrode 52.

  Further, each of the first projecting electrode 51, the second projecting electrode 52, and the third projecting electrode 71 is provided on the glass substrate 3 at regular intervals. In addition, each of the first protruding electrode 51, the second protruding electrode 52, and the third protruding electrode 71 has a height dimension and a width dimension set in stages through equal differences. Yes. That is, each of the first protruding electrode 51, the second protruding electrode 52, and the third protruding electrode 71 has a height dimension and a width dimension that are changed in accordance with the distance from the spacer 57. Yes.

  As a result, by pressing the back surface of the counter substrate 41 with a relatively weak force with a finger G or a pen H, the counter substrate 41 bends as shown in FIG. Since 54 is electrically connected to only the third protrusion electrode 71 on the array substrate 2 for switching, it can be sensed that pressure is applied to the back surface of the counter substrate 41. Further, when the counter substrate 41 is further bent by pressing the back surface of the counter substrate 41 with a finger G or a pen H with a relatively strong force, the counter electrode 54 of the counter substrate 41 becomes a second protrusion on the array substrate 2. The electrode 52 and the third protrusion electrode 71 are electrically connected to each other for switching. Further, when the counter substrate 41 is further bent by pressing the back surface of the counter substrate 41 with a finger G or pen H more strongly, the counter electrode 54 of the counter substrate 41 becomes the first protruding electrode on the array substrate 2. 51, the second ridge electrode 52 and the third ridge electrode 71 are electrically connected to each other for switching.

  Therefore, by providing the first protruding electrode 51, the second protruding electrode 52, and the third protruding electrode 71 having different heights on the array substrate 2 according to the distance from the spacer 57, The pressure pushing the back surface of the counter substrate 41 can be sensed step by step. However, when the first ridge electrode 51, the second ridge electrode 52, and the third ridge electrode 71 having different heights are randomly arranged on the array substrate 2, that is, the array substrate 2 Some variation will occur.

  Further, as in the fourth embodiment shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, a plurality of spacers 57 are provided on the array substrate 2 in a matrix, and the first protruding electrodes 51 and the Each of the two protruding electrodes 52 can be provided by patterning. The spacers 57 are provided in the screen portion 4 of the array substrate 2 so as to be spaced apart at equal intervals along the vertical direction and the horizontal direction of the array substrate 2. That is, the spacers 57 are provided for every two pixels along the vertical direction of the array substrate 2, and are provided for every six pixels along the horizontal direction of the array substrate 2.

  In addition, the first protruding electrode 51 is provided in the central portion between the spacers 57 along the vertical direction and the horizontal direction of the array substrate 2. That is, these first protruding electrodes 51 are provided at positions spaced at equal intervals from the adjacent spacers 57 along the vertical and horizontal directions of the array substrate 2. Accordingly, the first protruding electrodes 51 are also provided for every two pixels along the vertical direction of the array substrate 2 and are provided for every six pixels along the horizontal direction of the array substrate 2, similarly to the spacer 57. It has been.

  Further, the second protruding electrode 52 is provided in the central portion between the first protruding electrodes 51 along the vertical direction and the horizontal direction of the array substrate 2. That is, these second protruding electrodes 52 are provided at positions spaced at equal intervals from the adjacent first protruding electrodes 51 along the vertical and horizontal directions of the array substrate 2. Accordingly, the second protruding electrodes 52 are also provided for every two pixels along the vertical direction of the array substrate 2 and are provided every six pixels along the horizontal direction of the array substrate 2. Therefore, these second protrusion electrodes 52 are provided at positions farther from the spacer 57 than the first protrusion electrodes 51.

  As a result, as shown in FIG. 9, when the back surface of the counter substrate 41 is weakly pressed, only the first protrusion electrode 51 is electrically connected to the counter electrode 54 and switched. Further, when the back surface of the counter substrate 54 is strongly pressed, each of the first protrusion electrode 51 and the second protrusion electrode 52 is electrically connected to the counter electrode 54 and switched. Therefore, the type and number of the protruding electrodes 47 that come into contact with the counter electrode 54 on the counter substrate 41 can be changed by the force pressing the back surface of the counter substrate 41, so that the same effects as those in the above embodiments can be obtained. In addition, the liquid crystal panel 1 can sense the force pushing the back surface of the counter substrate 41.

  Further, since the protruding electrodes 47 are regularly arranged according to the distance from the spacer 57, the in-plane distribution of sensitivity to the pressure of the liquid crystal panel 1 can be reduced. Furthermore, if a mask pattern corresponding to each of the spacer 57, the first protrusion electrode 51, and the second protrusion electrode 52 is formed, the spacer 57, the first protrusion electrode 51, and the second protrusion electrode 52 are formed. Each of the strip electrodes 52 can be formed in the same process.

  Further, by configuring control software (not shown) so that the protrusion electrode 47 can be arbitrarily selected, the first protrusion electrode 51 and the second protrusion electrode 52 having different height dimensions are used. The sensitivity can be adjusted by the projected electrode 47. For example, if the first protrusion electrode 51 is set to detect when it electrically contacts the counter electrode 54, it can be detected even if the back surface of the counter substrate 41 is pressed with a relatively weak force. On the other hand, if the second protrusion electrode 52 is set to sense when it makes electrical contact with the counter electrode 54, the back surface of the counter substrate 41 must be pushed with a relatively strong force to increase the deflection of the counter substrate 41. If you do not perceive.

  Further, as in the fifth embodiment shown in FIGS. 10 and 12, a plurality of spacers 57 are provided in a matrix on the array substrate 2, and the first protruding electrodes 51 and the second spacers 57 are provided between the spacers 57. The projecting electrode 52 and the third projecting electrode 71 may be provided by regular patterning according to the distance from the spacer 57. Each spacer 57 is provided for every four pixels along the vertical direction of the array substrate 2, and is provided for every ten pixels along the horizontal direction of the array substrate 2.

  Further, the first protruding electrode 51 is provided at a central portion between the spacers 57 along the vertical direction and the horizontal direction of the array substrate 2. Accordingly, the first protruding electrodes 51 are also provided for every four pixels along the vertical direction of the array substrate 2 and are provided for every ten pixels along the horizontal direction of the array substrate 2, similarly to the spacer 57. It has been. And the 3rd protrusion electrode 71 is each provided in the center part between the 1st protrusion electrodes 51 along the vertical direction and the horizontal direction of the array substrate 2.

  That is, the third protrusion electrodes 71 are provided at equal intervals from the adjacent first protrusion electrodes 51 along the longitudinal direction and the lateral direction of the array substrate 2. Therefore, the third protruding electrodes 71 are also provided for every four pixels along the vertical direction of the array substrate 2 and are provided for every ten pixels along the horizontal direction of the array substrate 2. Therefore, these third protrusion electrodes 71 are provided at positions farther from the spacer 57 than the first protrusion electrodes 51.

  Further, the second protruding electrode 52 is provided between the first protruding electrode 51 and the third protruding electrode 71 along the vertical direction and the horizontal direction of the array substrate 2. Further, the second protrusion electrodes 52 are formed in the first protrusion from the intermediate portion between the first protrusion electrodes 51 and the third protrusion electrodes 71 along the vertical direction and the horizontal direction of the array substrate 2. It is provided in the pixel 5 located on the strip electrode 51 side. Therefore, the second protruding electrode 52 is provided at a position farther from the spacer 57 than the first protruding electrode 51 and at a position closer to the spacer 57 than the third protruding electrode 71. Yes.

  As a result, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, when the back surface of the counter substrate 41 is pressed with a weak force f1, the cell thickness A between the counter substrate 41 and the array substrate 2 is changed from d0 to d1 (< d0). Therefore, only the first protrusion electrode 51 is electrically connected to the counter electrode 54 and switched. When the back surface of the counter substrate 41 is pressed with a strong force f2 (> f1), the cell thickness A changes from d0 to d2 (<d1). Therefore, each of the first protrusion electrode 51 and the second protrusion electrode 52 is electrically connected to the counter electrode 54 and switched. Further, when the back surface of the counter substrate 41 is pressed with a stronger force f3 (> f2), the cell thickness A changes from d0 to d3 (<d2). Therefore, each of the 1st protrusion electrode 51, the 2nd protrusion electrode 52, and the 3rd protrusion electrode 71 is electrically connected to the counter electrode 54, and is switched.

  As a result, the type and number of the protruding electrodes 47 that come into contact with the counter electrode 54 on the counter substrate 41 can be changed by the force pressing the back surface of the counter substrate 41. While having an effect, the force which pushes the back surface of this opposing board | substrate 41 can be detected in 3 steps.

  In each of the above embodiments, the sensor protrusions 53 of each protruding electrode 47 are formed of a material different from that of the spacers 57. However, the sensor protrusions 53 are made of the same non-conductive resin as the spacers 57. At the same time, the surface electrode 55 covering the sensor projections 53 can be formed by ITO patterning to add conductivity to the sensor projections 53. Further, the height of each of the sensor protrusion 53 and the spacer 57 can be adjusted by changing the mask size. Specifically, the mask size of the spacer 57 is a square shape with a side of about 30 μm, the mask size of the sensor projection 53 for the first protrusion electrode 51 is a square shape with a side of about 18 μm, and the second protrusion The mask size of the sensor projection 53 for the electrode 52 is a square shape having a side of about 12 μm. Also in this case, since the pressure when the back surface of the counter substrate 41 is pressed with the finger G or the pen H can be sensed stepwise, the same effects as those in the above embodiments can be achieved.

  Further, the touch sensor 48 that switches and senses the pressure when the protruding electrode 47 is in electrical contact with the sensor electrode 27 or the counter electrode 54 has been described. However, the protruding electrode 47 and the sensor electrode 27 are described. Alternatively, a capacitive sensing touch sensor 48 that senses a change in electrical capacitance based on a change in the distance to the counter electrode 54 may be used. In the case of the capacitive sensing type touch sensor 48, in order to increase the capacitance variation due to the variation of the cell thickness A when the back surface of the counter substrate 41 is pressed, the plane of the protruding electrode 47 is as much as possible. It is preferable to increase the visual size.

  Further, the protrusion electrodes 47 of each touch sensor 48 are configured such that the surface of the insulating sensor protrusion 53 is covered with the surface electrode 55. However, the protrusion electrodes 47 are formed only of conductive resin. Alternatively, it may be formed by adhering conductive resin balls or the like at predetermined positions. A mask pattern corresponding to each of the spacer 57, the first protrusion electrode 51, and the second protrusion electrode 52 is formed, and the spacer 57, the first protrusion electrode 51, and the second protrusion are formed. Although each of the strip electrodes 52 is formed at the same time, the spacer 57, the first projecting electrode 51, and the second projecting electrode 52 having different heights can be formed simultaneously by changing the exposure amount.

  Furthermore, the height of the spacer 57 of the liquid crystal panel 1, the alignment film material used for the alignment films 28 and 58, the rubbing direction of the alignment films 28 and 58, and the liquid crystal composition are appropriately changed to form an OCB (Optically Compensated Bend) type. Since the VA (Vertically Aligned) type or homogeneous type liquid crystal panel 1 also has better viewing angle and response time characteristics than the TN (Twisted Nematic) type liquid crystal panel 1, the display quality can be improved. The liquid crystal panel 1 having the same performance as the touch panel function of the liquid crystal panel 1 can be obtained.

  As the thin film transistor 8, a top gate type, a bottom gate type, or a coplanar type thin film transistor 8 can be used correspondingly. Further, peripheral drive circuits such as a Y driver circuit 14 and an X driver circuit 15 are formed on the periphery of the screen portion 4 of the glass substrate 3 of the array substrate 2, but these peripheral drive circuits such as the Y driver circuit 14 and the X driver circuit 15 are formed. May be formed separately from the array substrate 2 and connected to the array substrate 2.

1 is an explanatory cross-sectional view showing a first embodiment of a liquid crystal display device of the present invention. It is explanatory circuit block diagram which shows a liquid crystal display device same as the above. It is a description top view which shows a liquid crystal display device same as the above. It is a graph which shows the relationship between the magnitude | size of the protrusion electrode of a liquid crystal display device same as the above, and the height after exposure. It is explanatory sectional drawing which shows 2nd Embodiment of the liquid crystal display device of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows 3rd Embodiment of the liquid crystal display device of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the state which pushed the liquid crystal display device same as the above. It is explanatory drawing which shows 4th Embodiment of the liquid crystal display device of this invention. It is explanatory side view which shows the state which pushed the liquid crystal display device same as the above. It is an explanatory top view which shows 5th Embodiment of the liquid crystal display device of this invention. It is explanatory side view which shows the state which pushed the liquid crystal display device same as the above. It is a graph which shows the relationship between the force which pushes a liquid crystal display device same as the above, and a cell gap.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Liquid crystal panel as a liquid crystal display device 2 Array substrate 5 Pixel
27 Sensor electrode as electrode layer
41 Counter substrate
43 Color filter layer
47 ridge electrode
53 Sensor protrusion as insulation
54 Counter electrode as electrode layer
55 Surface electrode as conductive part
57 Spacer
63 Liquid crystal layer as liquid crystal

Claims (5)

An array substrate in which a plurality of pixels are provided in a matrix on one main surface;
A counter substrate disposed with one main surface facing one main surface of the array substrate;
Comprising a liquid crystal interposed between one main surface of the array substrate and one main surface of the counter substrate;
An electrode layer provided on one main surface of either the array substrate or the counter substrate;
Opposite this electrode layer, one of the array substrate and the counter electrode is provided on one other main surface so as to protrude from the one main surface, and is conducted by a change in distance between the electrode layer and the array substrate. A liquid crystal display device comprising: a plurality of projecting electrodes having a height dimension smaller than a distance between the opposite substrate and a different height dimension. A spacer provided between the array substrate and the counter substrate and having an insulating property to maintain a distance between the array substrate and the counter substrate;
The liquid crystal display device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of protruding electrodes are formed to have a height that decreases with distance from the spacer. A spacer provided between the array substrate and the counter substrate and having an insulating property to maintain a distance between the array substrate and the counter substrate;
The protruding electrode has an insulating part formed of the same material as the spacer and having an insulating property, and a conductive part having a conductive property and covering at least part of the surface of the insulating part. The liquid crystal display device according to claim 1 or 2. A color filter layer provided on one main surface of the counter substrate;
The protruding electrode is provided on one main surface of the color filter layer,
The liquid crystal display device according to claim 1, wherein the electrode layer is provided on one main surface of the array substrate. A color filter layer provided on one main surface of the array substrate;
The electrode layer is a counter electrode provided on one main surface of the counter substrate,
4. The liquid crystal display device according to claim 1, wherein the protruding electrode is provided on one main surface of the color filter layer.

Images